Jabs, blocks and Joe the Plumber: The last presidential debate of 2008

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee John McCain discussed health care, the economy, abortion and Bill Ayers, but as much as the issues, the debate for many may have been about the contrast in temperament of the two men. Takeaway Political Director Andrea Bernstein was at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York.

Black and white evangelicals, who preach from the same Bible and hold many of the same values, consistently vote for opposite political parties. Seventy-seven percent of historically black churches (which includes black evangelical churches) identify as Democrats. In 2004, 79 percent of white evangelicals voted for President George W. Bush. Randall Balmer and Lisa Harper explain that the fundamentally different historic experiences of black and white evangelicals outweigh issues of abortion and gay marriage in determining how these groups vote. Our guests talk about the historic segregation and political divide of the evangelical church and what it means for this election, with the country’s first African American presidential candidate.

Election day is November 4, 2008, but scores of voters — for a variety of reasons — have already voted. The Takeaway is talking with them about which presidential candidate they checked the box for — and why.

The race is on for every vote, especially in the toss-up states of Indiana and North Carolina. After last night’s presidential debate the undecided voters in the toss-up states may have reached some decisions. Catherine Welch of WHQR in North Carolina and Micah Schweizer of WNIN in Indiana went to debate parties in their states and report the audience reactions and decisions.

A recent ruling in Ohio by a federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the Republican Party. Thousands of new voter registrations now need to be reviewed to prevent voter fraud. Critics of the ruling say it’s unnecessary and could result in purging legitimate voters from the rolls.

Election day is November 4, 2008, but scores of voters — for a variety of reasons — have already voted. The Takeaway is talking with them about which presidential candidate they checked the box for — and why.

The dismal market situation continues to reverberate around the world. And it's having a dramatic effect on oil prices. Crude prices fell to a 14-month low this morning, falling to almost $70 a barrel.

Protests by troops and veterans have been a part of American life since the Vietnam War. But technology has changed the game, and many soldiers say they are confused by military anti-protest rules that seem haphazard and subjective. Meanwhile, the military is scrambling to adjust its policies to fit a world changed by YouTube, blogs and digital photos.